The EITI Board had suspended Guatemala on 1 February 2019 for failing to publish its Annual Progress Report and 2016 EITI Report by 31 December 2018. The Board agreed that “the suspension will remain in force until the EITI Board is satisfied that the country has met requirement 8.4”.

The Board agreed to extend the contract of CowaterSogema International as the Independent Validator for the 2019 Validations. This recommendation is based on the small number of first Validations scheduled for 2019 and the Independent Validator’s satisfactory performance with regards to the 2018 Validations. The appointment is subject to successful contract negotiations.